Cylinder mounting means for rotary printing apparatus



Allg. 5, 1952 W- C, HUEBNER 2,605,701

CYLINDER MOUNTING MEANS FOR ROTARY PRINTING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 9, 19492 SHEETS- SHEET l WqLLmM DHUEBNER..

BY-zm,

HTTCIFNE S Aug. 5, 1952 w. fa. HUEBNER 2,605,701

CYLINDER MOUNTING UEANS FOR ROTARY PRINTING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 9, 19492 SHEETS-SHEET 2 Y Patented Aug. 5, 1952 CYLINDER MOUNTING MEANS RoRROTARYv PRINTING APPARATUS William C. Huebner, New York, N. Y.

Application August 9, 1949, Serial No. 109,306

Claims. (Cl. lOl-216) This invention relates to a printing or coatingpress and, more particularly, yto constructions thereof for facilitatingremoval therefromlfof a printing or coating element such as printing,inking, or like cylinders or drumsrthis applica-tion being Ain part adivision of my copending application S. N. 689,490 filed vAugust 9,1946,now Patent No. 2,557,381 dated June 19, 1951, and also including amodication of theA divided subject` matter.

My above-identified copending application `discloses4 a universal presswhich is readily adapted for printing by different methods and/or indiff ferent colors. In such a press it is desirable that the printingelements such as the printing, inking, or like cylinders or drums bereadily removable from the pressto permit-cleaning and also tofacilitate replacing the cylinders withv'others having different surfacecharacteristics when the mode of printing or the image or color to beprinted is to lbe changed. Y

An object of this invention is the provision in Ya printing or coatingpress of an improved means for mounting an element or elements, such'asprinting, inking, `or like, cylindersV orl drums, whereby the elementsor drum'sfmay'be readily removed from the press for cleaning or forlreplacement by a Vdifferentfdru'rn or element, the removal andreplacement being 'effected without dismantling the press; y v

Another object of theinvention is the provision of an improved means formounting cylindrical elements ina ,printing or coating vpress whereinthe said elements comprise cylindrical shells which are engaged androtatably mounted in the pressby end members having a sliding Afitwithin the ends of said cylinders, at least one of said end membersbeing axially movable with respect to the other end member to.lfacilitate removal of said shell.- c

A further object of the invention is the provision of an improved meansfor mounting cylindrical elements in a printing or coating"V presswherein `the sa'idelements comprise cylindrical shells the ends ofVwhich are -closed'bydisklike members to form hollow drums, thesaiddrums beingrotatably mounted in the pressby bearing members, atleast one of which is axially movable to facilitate removal ofthe drumfrom the press.

A still further object of the invention-is the provision of improvedmeans for mounting fa printing or coating element in a press 'as deiinedin the two preceding objects and wherein means are provided forfacilitating algnrnentand support of said element during removal andplace'f mentthereof. Y' f 'A An additional object of the invention isthe provision in a printing or coating press of an improved hollowelement and improved rotatable mounting means therefor wherein the saidelement is adapted to have liquid supplied to the interior thereofforeffecting a printing or coating operation and the element is adapted tobe readily placed in and removed from the press by axial movement of atleast one of the mounting means, characterized in that the said elementand movable mounting means have cooperating valve means which areautomatically opened to permit supply of liquid therethrough to theinterior of the drum When the latter is in place in the press, the saidvalve means automatically closing when the drum is removed from thepress. The invention further resides in certain novel features ofconstruction and combination and arrangements of parts, and furtherobjects and advantages thereof.v willbe apparent to those skilled in theartto which it pertains from the following description ofthe presentpreferred embodiment thereoand certain modifications, described withrespect tothe accompanying drawings in which similar referencecharacters represent corresponding partsin the several views'and inwhich: Fig. l is a fragmentary transverse sectional view through aprinting press provided with a cylindrical printingv element constructedand mounted in accordance with this invention, this figure beingidentica1 with Fig. 9 of my aforementioned copending application S. N.689,490 except that the reference characters have been changed;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary elevational view as seen from a locationcorresponding with the line 2-2 of Fig. l showing a means for eifectingcorrect circumferential `positioning of the printing element, thisiigure being identical with Fig. 9b of my aforementioned copendingapplication except that the reference characters have been changed;Fig.'4 3 is. a fragmentary transverse sectional Viewl through a printingpress provided with the present preferred embodiment of a cylindricalprinting element incorporating the features of this invention; p 1

Fig-. 1 y is a fragmentary viewpartly in end elevation andpartlyinsection taken substantially on the line 4 4 -ofFig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially on the line5,-5 ofY Fig. 4; and, Figs; 6 andv'l, taken together, comprise anenlarged fragmentary View of the lefthand portion of Fig. 1 principallyin elevation but with parts broken away and others shown in section toillustrate the 'operation of thecylinder mounting and ing rails I I andI2 on which the tiers are movabiy mounted by having the lowermembier I3thereof provided with rollers I4 supported on channels or ways such asI5 and cooperatingwith the rails II and I2 for movement longtiudinallythere-A along. The tiers are secured infa selected, predeterminedposition by suitable means such as a locating pin I6 which may passthrough aligned holes in one of the rails and a portion of the memberI3.

Supported upon-the member I3 are one or more frame members or-units -I'l only one of which is shown indetail herein, these members beingcastings which extend transversely of the base and are each pro-vided onthe under side withvkeyways t8 and on its upper side with keys I9. Thekeyways I3-of the lowermost unit-ITI interi-lt with the keys29 of thesupporting member I3 and the keys I9 at the top of unit I1 intert withcorresponding keyways in the next unit thereabove or with a cap'membennot shown. The units yI'I are ordinarilyconnected together and tothe supporting member I3 by suitable securing means such fas bolts 12|thereby constituting a .rigid frame. Y

Supported within the frame member vI-'I is a printing element or drum,generally designated 22, whichlincludes rota-table spaced apart flangeddisks T23 'and 24. The disk 23 is rotatably supported-inan-eccentricbushing-Z which-is inturn mounted Yin an eccentric sleeve26. The other disk 24 is Alikewise supported in an eccentric sleeve, -aswill presently appear, and'thereiore the -axis of -the element `or drum22 may be adjusted vindirections at right angles Ato its axis byrotation-cf vthe-eccentric sleeves. The sleeve 426 may be locked -in anadjusted position by means of ascrew 26a which extends through a slot inthe flange ofthe sleeve and is threaded into the frame I-. The sleeve 26is provided with -a -key or Vpin A 2'! which extends into a keyway 28 inthe bushing 25 so that the bushing together With the bearing portionofthe disk 23 can have-endwise movement relative to the sleeve 326. Forthis purpose, the bushing 42,5 is-externally threaded and supports aVgear nut 29 located between the flangeof the sleeve 2t and a retainerplate rigidly secured'to the frame. `A pinion 3| meshes with the -teethof the nut 29 and is xedfto a shaft 321which is rotatablysup- 'ported'bythe 4frame memberI'l and by the plate 30, the outer end of shaft 32having its outer end -provided with a portion '-to which a removableoperating handle or crank 33 may be Sattached. -It .will-be apparentfromtheieonstruction vjust described that, when the pinion 3| is rotated bythe handle 33, `the-'nut Y29 -willturn andthread upon Athe bushingcausingthelatter to V.move axially inwardly or outwardly depending 'uponthe ldirection of the r-"otation vof .the Lhandle 33. Since the outerend of .bearing portion of disk 23 has aLplate 23a secured thereto witha portion of the bushingr l25 'receivedbe- 4tween `this vplate .and 'an`integral shoulderfon" the bearing portion of the disk, the axialmovement of bushing 25 carries the disk 23 therewith.

The disk 24 has a reduced diameter bearing portion thereon rotatablymounted in an eccentric bearing sleeve 34, this sleeve having a flangeportion which is adjustably secured to the frame I'l by a screw or thelike 35 to retain the circumferential adjustment ofv the sleeve andprevent axial displacement thereof. A sleeve 36 is xed to a reduceddiameter of the bearing portion of the disk 24, intermediate the latterand "the eccentric bearing sleeve 34, and has a shoulder engaging theouter end of the bearing sleeve B4. 'This sleeve 36 has a gear 31 formedthereon, `which will be referred to hereinafter, the outer face of whichgear engages a boss on a gear cover or .casing 38 to prevent endwisedisplacement.

Each of the disks 23, 24 has the inner face thereof secured to asupporting plate 39 and 40, respectively, which are preferably formed ofinsulating material, :these plates being provided at their circumferencewith vinternal and external circular'shoulders -such as 4I and 42.v Thesupporting plates 39 and 40 lare adapted to support various types ofhollow cylinders or cylindrical Vshells 44 with the opposite ends-of the-latter bearing upon the shoulders, such as 42, or upon spacingringspsuh as v43, interposed between the said-shoulders vand thecylindrical shells 44, these cylindrical shells being clamped betweenthe anges of the disk ymembers 23, 24 and of the vplates 39 and 4i) whenspaced apart a predetermined distance.

The disk '23 'is provided centrally with a recess facing towards thedisk 24 and Ain which is mounted a bearing 45 adapted to support astationary tube 46 which extends through central openings inthe plates39 and40 with a substantial clearance. The tube 46 extends -slightlyinto a central bore in the disk 24 and the end of the tube is detachablyconnected vby interlocking relationship, such as by a tongue and grooveconnection, with a fixed tube 47. The tube41 vis stationarily mounted in:the frame and extends 'through the bore of the-bearing portion of therotatabledisk 24`Witha clearance, the tube 47 extendng'into'afsupporting boss Vforme'din'the wall of the gear casing 38 and heldstationarily with respect thereto by means of a screw 48 or `the like.

, Let it "be assumed .that the disksl23, 24 are positioned in cylindersupporting relationship, that a cylinder Y.is mounted on thecylindricalshoulders of the plates 39, 40 or `on .the rings Y43,`and that the .tube46`is in positionasshown in Fig. 1 and isconnected tothe tube-41 Itwill-be apparent AthatrotationV of the disk-24h51 means of gear V3! willcause-the entire drum, including the cylinder 44 and the disk 23, torotate while the-tubes 46, -41 remain stationary. Now assuming that itis desired to remove the cylinder 44, the operatorapplies the handle 33to 'the outer end'of the shaft .32 and rotates this shaft to causethebushing 25 'and kthe ldisk n 23 to rmove axially .out. wardly, aspreviously explained, away from-the disk *.24 with the result, 'that thecircular shoulders on the .plates 39, 4I! are spaced apart agreaterdistance `than-the length of the A'cylinder 44,it`-beingunderstood thatfthe disk 23 can move outwardly vuntil `itcontacts the wallv of the. unit I1. The -outward movement ofthe disk 23also causes ldisengagement of the left-hand end of 1the tube; 46 lfrom'the `bearing 4 5 'So that boththe cylinder and Y.the tube-46 will befree Vfor removal from the unit. This removal is eiected 'byax- "iafll-ymoving the'cylinder'44 and tube 46 suffi-- p lcie'ntly to disengag'ethem from plate 46 and tube '41, respectively, whereupon the cylinder ismo'ved out ofthe frame at right angles to the normal axis of the drumorelement.

and with the `bearing 45 'toifacilitate' proper po,-

'sitioning `ofthe tube. The'opening 49a andthe endl of thetoolengagingtherein preferably have cooperating polygonal shapes to permitrotationof -thetube46 and thereby eiect interlocking engagement ofA the ltongueandA groove joint ofthe tube vwith tube 41. The cylinder 44 is provided-with a. notch.56(see Fig. 2) in its right-hand endthereof which isadaptedto be aligned'with and receivea key or projection .5I carried bythe diskk 24. This facilitates positioning the cylinder l44rcircumferentially Withrespect to .the-driving mechanism thereforso thatthe images .pro- 4duced thereby will be properly correlated with thosepreviously or subsequently produced .by other rcylinders of thepress.Withv the cylinder and tubes thus positioned,. the operator then `turnsthev handle or crank 33 to cause the disk 23 to move inwardly towardsthe disk 24 until Ythe cylinder 44 is vtightly clamped on the circularshoulders of theplates 39, 4D or on the rings 43 and between the flangesthereof, the left-hand end of the tube 46 being positioned in the'bear-`ing45 and the right-hand end of .this tube interengaged withA theleft-hand .portion of the lllbe 41.., i

`An alternative ,way of mounting the, cylinder in position is to removethe plates 39, 40 and assemble'the cylinder 44 on the shoulders of theplates Ywith or without the rings 43` interposed therebetween, dependingupon the characteristics of the cylinder, and then insert the tube 46,through the central openings 'of the plates. This assembly can then bemounted atone end on the :disk 24 ywhile its o-ther end is supported bya tool in ,the opening 49, with a polygonal end thereon engaging thecorrespondingly shaped socket 49a .inthe endr of the tube 46. The tube46 is thus 4centered and can be rotated to engage the tongue .andvgrooveconnection between it and the tube 41nwhereupon the disk 23 is movedinto supporting relationship with its cooperating disk r24 by meansofcrank 33. Y The gear 31 of each element is driven in a vmanner fullydescribed in the aforementioned copending application S. N. 689,490. Asdisclosed therein, the press is provided with a motor which drives theshaft 52 through suitable connections, not here illustrated. The shaft52 extends longitudinallyof the base l and passes through the 'gearhousing or guard 38 of the frameunit l1. `Within a portion of the gearhousing 38 the shaft v52.is provided with a spiral gear pinion 53which fis splined to the shaftto lrotate therewith and "is adapted to mesh withal spiral gear 54 fixed to "a shaft 55, the latter being rotatablysupported in the housing 38. TheV shaft 55 has fixed to its inner'encl agear 56 which meshes with the gear '931 and this gear inturn meshes withan idler The cylinders. such forms, as, for example, they may be simplyweb- =gear 51 supported on an adjustable bearing. shaft v58 which canbe'adjusted 'and clamped jin iadjusted position by 'means' of a screw'or screws 59. This idler 51 4drives a gear, similar to gear 31, on thenext unit ofthefprinting apparatus, as is fullyl described in myaforementioned copending application;

as 44 may take various supporting cylinders formed of impervious sheetmetal or they 'may be pervious to .permitY a liquid lto passtherethrough for effecting a printing or coating operation. Thetube46within the cylinder. is adapted to havei an lelectrode .supported.thereon for use as one.l element in an electrostatic printing couple,the electrical .connections for which .may extend throughl suitableopenings within the tubes 46 and 41. When the cylinder 44 is to be.used'with a liquid contained therein, this yliquid may likewise besuppliedthrough the tubes 46 and 41 to facilitate such utilizations ofthe device. The tube 46 is therefore provided with a partition 60 whichdivides the tube into twol separate compartments, one of which maycontain the electrical connections for the electrode and theother ofwhich may-serve as a conduit for the liquid which is supplied therefromtothe openings in the. surface of the cylinder in a manner described inmy aforementioned application. The connections of the electrical andliquid conduits tov thel separate compartments within the tube 46 may beeffected by disconnect couplings carried by theclosed end of tube 46 andcooperating with conduits extending through the tube 41 as illustratedand described in my copending .application to which reference is had forthe de- 6I is formed of a cylindrical outer surface or shell 62 which ispervious, being formed with suitable openings therethrough in anydesired manner. The ends of the outer shell or cylinder 62 are removablysupported upon circular shoulders 63 and 64 formed upon flanged disks 65and 66, sealing means 61 and 68 being interposed between the outer shelland the circular shoulders upon the disks.

Interiorly of the outer shell 62, the element 6l is provided with asecond or inner cylindrical shell 69 the ends of which are removablysupported upon a circular shoulder 16, on the disk 66, and upon acircular shoulder 1|, on .an end plate 12, sealing means 13 and 14being.' provided between the inner 'shell 69 and the circular shoulderson which it is supported. The end plate 12 is spaced inwardly from thedisk 65 and is preferably provided with an integral circular Iboss 15 onthe face thereof adjacent the disk 65 which circular boss is receivedina corresponding circularrecess inthe disk 6I to locate the end plate12 and the inner shell 69 thereby maintaining the latter concentric withthe outer shell The end plate 12 is connected with the disk 65 by screws16.

VThe 4spindle 'Vl is rotatably journalled in a.A frame member '19, whichmay be similar tothe frame member |'l :in Fig. 1 or may be any suitableprinting press framelstructure. The rotatable mounting ofthe spindle '|Iwithin the frame Imember is'effectedby means ofspaced thrust bearings 8and 8| of the conventional inclinedltapered-rolle'r construction, thedetails of which need notbe described. These bearings 'are spaced by asuitable spacing ring 82 and are retained from axial .displacement byretaining members 83 and 84 connected with the frame member 19 on either-side thereof as by means of screws' 85 and 86.

, The spindle member 'H has a shoulder AE37 en- ;gaging vthe inner raceof the bearing 8| while a anged member 88 is interposed between theinner race of the bearing 88 and a collar memer 89 vconnected by a`screw o1' screws S0 to the outer end of the spindle member.Consequently, the spindle member-is prevented from axial. displacementrelative to the .press framework 7B. Mounted upon the hanged member 88and connected thereto by means of screws 9|, or the like. is` a drivinggear 92 which may be connected withsuitable rotating means, for example,similar to those shown for Vdriving the gear 31 in Fig. 1, whereby theelement 6| may be rotated.

The disk B5 at the `left--hand end portion of the element 6| (as viewedin Fig. 3) has an integral boss 93 which is received in la cylindricalopening in the enlarged outer end of Aa spindle member 94. The spindlemember S4 is rotatably journalled in aportion 9'5 of the press frameworkby means of tapered roller thrust bearings 95 and Y9?., the rinnerraceof'the bearing 98 engaging a shoulder on the spindle 94 while theinner `race of the bearing 97 engages a ange member 98 which isconnected to the 'outer end of the spindle member 94 by :screws such as99. Intermediate :the outerraces of the bearings S6 and 97 is provided aspacing 'ring |03 and the outer race vfor the bearing 96 Iis engaged byaretaining memlber l! suitably secured to the adjacent end of a sleeve|62 in which the :spindle and bearings are mounted. This sleeve has ashoulder engaging th-e outer race of the bearing 91 -so that bearingsS6, 91 fand spindle 5M are held from relative axial displacement. Theouter surface of the sleeve |02 is provided with an acme typescrew-thread extending inwardly from the left-.hand end thereof for-a'considerable distance upon which is threadably supported a nut member|03, the outer periphery o'f which is provided with gear teeth. The nutmember |93 Vis prevented from axial displace-ment relative to the frameby means of a retaining plate |04 which is secured to the frame member95 in spaced relation thereto, as by means of bushings |05 and bolts BS(see Figs. 4 and 5').

The gear |93 mesh-es with a vpini-on |01k which is keyed or otherwiseconnected to a shaft |08 .journalled in the frame member 95 and in aporaxial movement thereof 'by means o-f'a keyway llt-formed therein andin which is received the reduced inner end of a vs tud H2 secured inV astationary bearing boss of the frame member-95.

Liquid is supplied to the interior of the element 6| through a conduitI3 having a threadedconneotion with anose member |4 which is secured tothe outer,end of the sleeve member -|2 rby means of vscrews orthe likev| I5. 'Ihe interior-of the nose member Ill is provided with a 4sealingring H6 which, in turn,.carries a sealing ring Ill cooperatingwith thespindle member 94 to prevent the liquidifrom passing into thebearings'9S and VSl. The spindle-member 94 is provided with-a central opening orpassageway 94 there-- through aligned with the opening through the lpipe |3 and'with a central opening in the memment 5| intermediate shells'E2 and Y69..

lber S8; The inner end of this opening or pas sageway in the spindle 94is enlarged to form a -valve chamber in whichaplug type -valve H8 issupported. The valve member HB has its outer end frusto-conical in shapefor cooperation Awith a valve-seat `in a member I |'9 mounted within thecylindrical opening yof the spindle 94,the valve |8 being'normallyurged't-o Vseating relationship by `a compressionfspring |2i. Theopening througlfrthe member `l i9 is alignedwitha valve seatV opening inthe boss Vportion of the disk `65 ywhich'coim'nunicates with a valvechamber'int'he said boss intermediate the end of this boss and theenlarged portion i the plate 72. The lastf'mentione'dchamber'communicates with the opening between the Yplate Y'l2 and disk'B5 4through suitable grooves or openings 15a in the portion 75, and theopening vor space between vplate 12 and disk 65 in turnlcommunicateswith the annular space Abetween the inner and outershells 59 and 82.Within the above-mentioned valve chamber provided in the boss S3 'ofdisk 65 is 'a plug-type valve member |2| which has a frustoconical`portion cooperating with a correspondingly shaped valve seat portion,the valve being normally urged to rseating position by a 'compressionspring |22. A sealing means |23 is provided in the forward face of theboss .93fo'r cooperation with theA memberor plate ||9 toprevent leakageof liquid therebetween.

The valve construction just described is such that when the cylindricalprintin'ge'lement 6| is positioned within the vprinting press, as shownin the drawings, the valve IIS 'in the spindle abuts the 'valve l2! linthe printing element'and this abutting relationship causes `bothvalvei'members lt'obe unse'ate'd against the force of their respectivesprings |28, "|22 tof-provide'a passageway for a liquid therep'ast andto the interior of the ele- When, however, 'the crank member is rotatedin a direction causing the nut member |793 to axially move the sleeve|82 and spindle 91| to *the left, as viewed in'Fi'g. 3, the abuttingrelationship of the val-ves i8 and I2 Ijis terminated so that each'valve i-s seated Vunder the force of itsrespective spring |20, |22thereby preventing loss of liquid from theV passageway 94 through thespindle member and also loss of liquid fromwithin'the .printing elementEl so that the latter may be readily removed and/or replaced without thespilling of liquid. The position of the parts when thespindle Misretracted to thus effect removal of'theelementland the correspondingclosed position of the valves is shown in-Figs and'7.

To facilitate support'and axial alignment of the printing element lil`Wir-thin the press, the

interior face of the inner plate 12 is providedl with. a cylindricallrecess in'which positioned a ball bearing |24, the latter inturnreceiving the reduced diameter portion of a cap member=|25positioned within a hollow tube |26. The tube |26 is preferably formedof insulating material andis adapted to support one electrode of an'electrostatic couple Vfor effecting Va printing or a reduced endportion'- thereof received'in-anopening provided in a gear housingV |29,the outer end of the tube being provided with a collar |30 which,together lwith anintegral shoulder on the tube, cooperate with thehousing |29 tofhold the tube stationary and prevent axial displacementthereof." Adjacent the inner endvof the tube |21 there isgprovided athrust bearing |3|, preferably of the tapered collar type, by whichthetube |21 is supported withinr the spindle 11 lin a manner permittingrotationof the latter relative to the former.

Let it be assumed that the apparatus is positioned'as shown in Fig. 3yand that it is desired to remove the element 6| from the apparatus forcleaning and/or for replacement by another element. The operator rotatesthecrank I9 -in a direction causing the nut |03 to move the sleeve |02and the spindle 94 axially to the left,V as viewed in the drawings,until these parts reach substantially the position shown in Fig. 6. Fromthis gure, and the companion Fig. '1, itwill be seen that the enlargedendof the spindle 94 is now spacedV from the boss 93 of thel disk 65 andthe valves |I8'and |2I are both closed. The disk 65, together with theattached end plate 12, and

the innervand outer shells 69, 62 may then be moved axially with respectto the disk 66 until separated therefrom and at this time the tube |26will likewise move axially with respect to the tube |21 separating atthe tongue and groove connection therebetween. When the inner and outershells and the tubev |26 haveV thus been separated from the cooperatingdisk` 66 and the tube |21,` the'element 6| may then be moved laterallyfrom between the frame members 19' 10 10 of the disk 66. Ihis'likewisemoves the tube |26 into the recess provided therefor in the outer end`of the tube |21, the tube |26'being rotated, if-necessary, by means ofthetool engaged in the recess |a, to effect interengagement of thetongue and groove connection |28 and of a positioningr means for theshells similarto that shown in Fig. 2. v'Ifhe crank ||0 may then befurther rotated to clamp the shells 62 and 69 between the flanges of theend members or disks and thereby seat the boss 93 against the valveplate I|9 with the two valve members ||8 and V|2| in abuttingrelationshipl and holding each other in open position. as shown in Fig.3.

As an alternative mode of disassembling and Y assembling the printingelement shown in Fig. 3,

erations. vThat is to say, theY` plate 12 is united y with the disk bythe screws l16 and the inner and louter shells 69,V 62 are mounted uponthe circular shoulders1l and 63 respectively. The tube |26 is thenassembled with its cap member |25 and the outer end of the latterinserted in theV bearing |24. The element 6| is then moved between theframe members 19, 95 and a rod or tool' inserted through the hollowinteriors of this element can be caused to move with the spindle 94 whenthe latter is moved axially by operation of vthe crank. In such' a casethe disk 66 maybe held stationary as before so that separation occursrst between the shells 62, 69 and thedisk 66. Alternatively, the disk 66may be free to move with the shells vrelative to the spindle member 11.In either case, the disk 65 may then be subsequently disengaged from thespindle 94 and the element removed from the press. .AssemblyV of theelement and positioning it in the press may be effected by reverseoperations, circumferential positioning of the tube |26 being VVeffectedby a tool'inserted through the tubes |26 and |21 and engagedinthe'recess |25a.

As mentioned above, the tube |26is adapted to receive an electrode foreffecting" electrostatic printing, the electrical connections for whichmay pass through the hollow interior of the tubes |26 and |21 and may beprovided with readily disconnectible portions adjacent the outer end ofthe tube |21 or adjacent the inner end thereof, similar to thatindicated in my above-mentioned copending application. y

It will now be apparent that, in accordance with this invention, thereisv provided an improved printing element and means for mounting thesame by virtue of which the element may be readily assembled or'removedfrom Vthe printing press without dismantling the latter. Moreover, inthe preferred form of the apparatus, 'a' means is provided forintroducing liquid into the interior of the element intermediate aninner and 'outer vshell thereof with the passageway for the liquidprovided with cooperating valve means which automatically open when theelement is in place inthe press and automatically close when the elementis being removed from the press, 'thereby preventing loss of liquid bothfrom the supply means and from the printing element. While specicconstructional features have been illustrated and described in detail,it will be apparent that variations and alterations may be made by thoseskilled in the art after having had the advantage of-this disclosure andtherefore the specic illustrations and descriptions are intended asrepresentative only of practical embodiments of the invention and not aslimitations thereon.

frame and extending axially into an opening in one of saiddisks, asecond tubular member loV cated centrally of vsaid cylinder, saidtubular members having cooperating,v interlocking Dortions, said secondtubular member vbeing ,pro--A vided adjacent the end thereofremoved'from saidirst member with a polygonally shaped socket4 adaptedto be engaged by a tool-to thereby rock said second tubular member foreffecting interengagernent of the interlocking portions of both tubularmembers, and means carried byA said frame and cooperating withy one ofsaid supporting means to effect'axial movement ,thereof ond tubularmember located centrally of said i` cylinder, said tubular membershaving cooperating interlocking portions, said secondv tubular memberbeing provided-at the end thereof remote from said first member with atool receiving socket, a central opening in said other disk throughwhich a tool may be inserted and` engaged in saidV socketrto rock saidsecond tubularI member for effecting interengagement of theinterlockingV portions of both tubular members, and means `forrelatively moving said disks from said Predeter mined spacedrelationship toV permit removal of said cylinder and said second tubularmember.V

8. In a printing press, a printingelement comprising spaced anged disksand a hollowr pervious cylinder supported on said disks intermediate theflanges thereof, means within said element spaced inwardly of saidkcylinder providing an annular chamber adjacent the interior of-saidcylinder, one of said disks being provided with a centrally disposedaxially extendingV passage.-r wayV therethrough communicating withlsaidVannular chamber through which liquid may be introduced into saidchamber, a supporting frame for said element, supporting means includingbearings carried by said' frame and normally engaging portions of saiddisks to provide aV rotatable support forr said element, means carriedby said frame and cooperating with one` of said supporting means toeffect axial movement,` thereof relative to said frame and said elementto selectively permit removal from or support of said element in saidframe, the said one supporting means havingvan vaxially extendingpassageway therethrough adapted to communicate with the passageway; insaid elementwhen the latter isV supported in said frame, and cooperatingvalve means carried by said one supporting-means and the adjacent one ofsaid disks to close `the said passageways when the element is removedfrom said frame.

4. In a printing press, a printing element comprising spaced hangeddisks and a hollow pervious cylinder supported on said disksintermediate the iianges thereof, means within said element spacedinwardly of said cylinder providing an annular chamber adjacent theinterior of said cylinder, one of said disks being provided with acentrally disposed axially extending `passageway therethroughcommunicating with said annular chamber through which liquid may beintroduced into said chamber. a supporting frame for said ele-r ment,supporting means including bearings carried` by said frame and normallyengaging portionsot saiddisks `to provide arotatable support forisaid--elementfone or" said supporting means` having an axiallyextending passageway there-v through communicating With the-passagewayin said onedisk when the element is supported in said frame, cooperatingvalve means in said com,-v

municatinglpassageways continuously urged to closed position` andpositioned for interengage ment to move the said valve means to openposi-l tion Iwhen said one supporting means is in element supporting,position', and meansA carried by said frame and cooperating with saidone of the supporting means to eiect axial movement thereof relative tosaidY frame and said element to selectively permit removal from orsupport of said element in said` frame.

5; In aprinting press, a printing` element com-- prising-v spaced hangeddisks and a hollow pervious; cylinder supported onesaid disksintermediate the flanges thereof, a flanged plate connected with-theinner face of one of said disksI in spaced relationshipthereto, animpervious cylindrical shell extending coaxially of said hollow cylinderVinteriorly thereof and spaced there municating with said annularchamberl throughthe space between-said plate and the adjacent disk, asupporting frame for said element, supporting means including bearingscarried by said frame andnormally engaging portions of said disks toprovide a rotatable support for said element, one of said elementsupporting means having. an axially extending passagewaytherethroughcommunicating with the said pas,-r sageway in said onel disk when. theelement is supported in thel said frame, means carriedbyY saidV frameandy cooperatingv with saidone of the element supporting means to-eiieotaxial movement thereof relative to-said frame for selectivelypermittingremoval from or support of said element in said frame,separatervalves in said` passageways of said-one disk and the said onesupporting means respectively, the said valves being positioned tointerengage and thereby hold-each other in open position to providecommunication through said pasageways when the said supportingmeansarein element supporting position, and rmeans acting on said valves urgingthem to closed positions to terminate such communication whensaid onesupporting meansis moved from supporting vrelationship lwith said4element. v i

6. In a press of the typeV described, an element comprising spacedflanged disks'and a cylinder supported on said'disks intermediate theflanges thereof, a supporting' frame for said element, supporting'means' including bearings carried bysaid frame providing a rotatablesupport for said element', means carried by said frame'and cooperatingwith one of said supporting means to effect axial movement of the latterrelative to said frame for selectively permitting removal from orsupport of said element in said frame,

a rst tubular member stationarily supportedl on said frame and extendingthrough.v a central opening in the other of said supporting means andinto a centralopening in the adjacent disk of saidelement,y a secondtubular member dis-Y posed centrally of said element with one endengaging the adjacent end of said first tubular member in interlockingrelationship, and means rotatably supporting the other end of saidsecond tubular member in said element adjacent that end thereof oppositethe rst tubular member.

7. In a printing press, a printing element in the form of a drumcomprising axially spaced flanged disks and a cylinder supported by thesaid disks and clamped in position -by the flanges of said disks whenthe latter are in predetermined spaced relationship, a support for saidprinting element, means carried by said support and cooperating with oneof said disks for moving the said one disk axially relative to saidsupport and the other of said disks to selectively permit removal ofsaid cylinder laterally from said support or to position the said disksin said predetermined relationship and to clamp the said cylinderthereby, a tubular member extending centrally of said element, bearingmeans intermediate said element and tubular member permitting rotationof said element relative to said member, a second member stationarilymounted upon said support, and a readily disengageable connectionbetween said first and second members whereby engagement of saidconnection facilitates proper positioning of the element in the saidsupport.

8. In a printing press, a printing element in the form of a drumcomprising axially spaced anged disks, flanged plates supported on theadjacent flanged faces of said disks, and a hollow cylinder supported onsaid plates intermediate the anges thereof so as to be clamped inposition by the said disks when the flanges thereof are in predeterminedspaced relationship, a support for said printing element, means carriedby said support and cooperating with one of said disks for moving thelatter axially relative to said support and the other of said disks forselectively permitting removal of the cylinder and the plates as a unitlaterally from between the disks or to position the said disks in saidpredetermined spaced relationship forl clamping the cylinder and platestherebetween, each of said disks and plates having a central openingtherein, and a tubular member extending through the central openings ofsaid plates and received in the openings of said disks therebyfacilitating the removal of said plates, cylinder and tubular member asa unit'from between the said disks or their insertion and clamping inoperative position therebetween.

9. The combination as dened in claim 5 and further comprising anelongated member disposed centrally of said element and interengageablewith a stationary member on said supporting frame thereby facilitatingplacing of said element in supported relationship in said frame, andmeans for permitting relative rotation between the element and saidelongated member.

10. The combination as defined in claim 6 and wherein the said means foreecting axial movement of one of said'supporting means includes anaxially extending threaded portion on the latter, a threaded memberrotatably supported upon said frame coaxially with said one supportingmeans and threadably engaged therewith, means for effecting rotation ofsaid threaded member, and means preventing axial movement of saidthreaded member when rotated.

WILLIAM C. HUEBNER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

Ul\TIIED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,008,507` Wheat NOV. 14, 19111,167,268 Carrelet et al Jan. 4, 1916 1,200,524 Roesenv Oct. l0, 19161,688,077 Hart Oct. 16, 1928 2,460,504 Huebner Feb. 1, 1949

